Set for 10 a.m. CDT Friday, Aug. 27, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis will hold the Opening Service for its 183rd academic year in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), will preach on the new academic year theme, “Your Word is a Lamp to my Feet,” based on Psalm 119:105.

The service will conclude a week of orientation for the Seminary’s new students, which includes residential and distance students in both the Ministerial Formation and the Advanced Studies departments.

Also during the service, distance students enrolled in the Specific Ministry Pastor Program, Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology, Center for Hispanic Studies and Online Deaconess Studies Program will be recognized for their vicarage and internship assignments.

“We begin a new school year, with new promise for our Seminary family,” said Dean of Ministerial Formation Dr. Timothy Saleska. “Our God is the God who gives us a future and a hope. This is God’s gift to us. I pray that in this new year, we will embrace each new day as a blessing and always look forward — with hope — to what our Lord has in store for us, His children.”

The service will include the installation of Dr. Thomas J. Egger as the Seminary’s 11th president. Additionally, new faculty members will be installed during the service, as well as one new staff member, and four current professors will be installed into new positions. Ordained members of the LCMS are invited to process in the Opening Service with red stoles.

The new academic year opening day festivities also will include the inauguration of Egger, held at 2:30 p.m. CDT Friday, Aug. 27, in the chapel.

The start of a new academic year also will feature the Seminary’s annual Opening Weekend Hymn Festival, which will be held at 3 p.m. CDT Sunday, Aug. 29, in the chapel. The event kicks off the annual Concordia Seminary Concert Series.

The public is invited to attend these events in person and to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year with new and returning students and their families, as well as with faculty and staff. Each event also will be live streamed at csl.edu/live.

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.